Rock Regeneration

Feb01

Regional One / The Now / Longstay

on February 1st, 2025 at 15:43

Hangover Hill Presents Live & Unheard “Legends”

If you are regular readers to the Rock Regeneration site you’ll be more than aware that I am a huge fan of Hangover Hill’s Live & Unheard series of gigs. I have followed the event since it’s inception and can count on one hand the few that I have missed. I have had the pleasure of hosting several of the events and help to find acts to perform. Tonight the event seriously comes of age, this evening “Live & Unheard” Legends take over the much larger Theatre here at the Lighthouse in Poole.

This evening more tickets that ever before have been sold for this all original music event and thanks to a drunken chat at the Anvil on New Year’s Eve, one of Lighthouse Staff Sam has instigated some pyrotechnics for this special occasion. In fact the whole production has been stepped up with a large screen at the back of the stage to display graphics and a host of clever lighting effects. The three bands who have the privilege to perform tonight are Scottish Country Rock band Longstay who first played the Hangover Hill event in November 2021, the second is Welsh Classic Rock band The Now who performed here in April 2023 and our headliners local Dorset band “Regional One” in October 2023

Matt Black arrives on stage with a huge grin on his face and introduces the first band for this Independent Venue Week backed event, his enthusiasm for the event is infectious and he builds up the anticipation. These four lads have had a long drive down of over 500 miles from their home in Perth, Scotland. After a thorough soundcheck and quick McDonalds tea they are raring to go. There is one change for the band’s line-up tonight, they have a stand-in drummer Kyle as original drummer Ben Carswell has just welcomed a new child. The rest of the band feature founder members Callum Campbell on acoustic Guitar/Lead Vocals, Malcolm Swan on Electric Guitar with Cameron McCafferty on Bass.

Longstay 1–2–3–4–5–6–7

The band kick off with their 2020 single “Better Lands” and continue with a earlier single “Memphis”. With their relaxed laid back style the audience soon warm to the clean Americana leanings that feature some fantastic harmonies along with some impressive guitar work. They have a delightful chemistry that comes from playing together, along with Callum and Malcom being in a playful mood. Their in-between song banter raises a few chuckles along with their impromptu duelling telecasters’ “Deliverance” jam.

The band treat us to a few as of yet unreleased gems showing us their latest creative streak, to me Callum’s voice reminds me of The Lemonheads’ Evan Dando with his reassuring soothing voice, while the instrumentation reminds me of fellow Scots Big Country’s later Nashville inspired material. Drummer Kyle does a fantastic job as standing in for Ben and no-one can fault his seamless efforts. The 200 strong audience give the band plenty of positive support at the end of their fine set.

After a 15 minute interval we are all back in our seats for Welsh Rockers The Now. Since we last saw them they have played gigs with Reef and Feeder, as well as releasing their debut album Too Hot To Handle. With the rows of searchlights illuminating up the stage and clouds of dry ice, the Rockers enter the stage to a warm Dorset welcome. They open with the three minute firecracker “Holy” and their guitars fill this large space with a significant melodic declaration of intent. Shane’s (Lead Vocals/ Electric Guitar) voice powerfully uplifts on the modern Rock classic “Devil Inside Me”, while copious amounts of energy comes from the unrelenting rhythm section of Jay Evans (Bass/Vocals) and Will Scott (Drums). Callum Bromage’s (Guitar/Vocals) skilful input really comes into it’s own during tracks “Dr Jones” and the rip-roaring “Rockstar”. The audience find it hard to stay rooted to their seats and the high momentum gets many of them up dancing in the aisles. Despite a few technical issues they pull out a fine set and duly earn themselves the coveted Legends title.

The Now 1–2–3–4–5–6

Local lads Regional One have been building up to this night for such a long time; since forming they have performed in virtually all the local venues and beyond, slowly but surely gaining vital stage experience and building a firm fanbase. Simon, Stevie, Callum and Aaron get the big intro from Matt and their army of fans give them a huge welcome as they arrive on stage to the sound of their single “Control”. The atmosphere in here is just one of pure excitement with both the bands and the crowd’s enthusiasm off the scale. The promised big productions of the collaborations with the band and the lighthouse staff look awesome on a huge cinema-sized screen at the back with some cleverly put together Regional One graphics. The upscaled lighting alongside the pyrotechnics feature dancing flames and fountains of sparks.

The band have upped their game in the performance stakes too, Simon is a true frontman and stalks the stage whipping up the crowd while delivering first class vocals. The band provide some excellent instrumental backing with some great atmospheric guitar sounds from Stevie, coupled with the strong efficient rhythm section. Not only do we have Regional one, but they arranged for some surprise music alliances. The first comes in the form of the Award Winning singer/songwriter Nia Nichols who duets with Simon on the band’s song “Chosen” with great effect. The next is a cover of Three Doors Down’s “Kryptonite” and as with the version that the band released recently. Tia Lazzeri-Madden of NÆMA joined the band to add her considerable vocals.

Regional One 1–2–3–4–5–6–7–8–9–10–11–12

There is just so much happening on the stage, it’s just difficult to take it all in. A good deal of the fans are up in the aisles dancing, people are standing up from their seats just rocking out to all the band have to offer. A further splendid cover of Royal Blood’s “Ten Tonne Skeleton” is followed by 2021 called “Bedlam”. This is possibly the band’s best tune of the evening; Stevie’s epic guitar sound, the infectious rhythms and Simons powerful vocals just show what the band are truly capable of. We even see the front man do a lightning quick costume change.

The momentum continues with the band’s final euphoric number “Hero”, where the band round off the evening in style playing a show that they have dreamed of play since forming. What a night, what a show; three great bands all amazingly brought together by the Hangover Hill team, who absolutely smashed this night right out of the park.

Set Lists
Regional One
Control
Ministry
Hide
Sold
Chosen (with Nia Nichols)
Rise
Louder
Kryptonite -Three Downs Down Cover (featuring Tia Lazzeri-Madden of NÆMA)
Smoke It Away
Ten Tonne Skeleton – Royal Blood cover
Bedlam
Hero

The Now
Holy
Devil Inside Me
Truth Come Out In The End
Dr Jones
His Last Dimension
Special Kind of Stupid
Rockstar
Rewind
Friendly Fire

Longstay
Better Lands
Memphis
My Turn
All With You
Night Shift
Goes Like
California Sunrise
Walking Down
See You Again

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